Moped crime has dropped dramatically since last year, according to figures shown to a public meeting last night.

Camden and Islington’s borough commander Det Ch Supt Iain Raphael told a Camden Safer Neighbourhood Board meeting that at its peak last year, in June, there were 1363 moped crimes.

Twelve months on, and there has been a dramatic drop by 82.5 per cent to 238. It follows a trend of decline in the crimes since 2017, when it soared. He told the Ham&High after the meeting that he was “cautious” about the fall.

The borough commander, who came into post in April, also told people at the Somers Town Community Centre that he has put more unmarked “Q cars” on the streets to help tackle a rise in robberies.

Q cars pick up a victim after police have had a call about a robbery and look for the person responsible, who according to Det Ch Supt Raphael, is often still nearby. He said the scheme had been a success. Since April the number of crimes has decreased by 14pc. Knife crime in the borough has also reduced by 5.55pc.

“As a councillor who has been around for a long time, this is the worst I have seen it.

“I’d like you to take back our concern to the government ministers because they have decided to cut so much money. Gone are the days when people would be out on the streets about it. The police can’t do it any longer. They’re doing very well with what they’ve got, but we need more,” she said.

Det Ch Supt Raphael, who is in charge of 1200 officers in central north, said he was doing the best with the resources he had.